VCU vs Loyola Prediction 3/15/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Loyola (22-10) vs. VCU (26-6)
March 15, 2025 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: VCU -10.5; Over/Under: 139
(Get latest betting odds)
The Loyola Ramblers and the VCU Rams meet Saturday in Atlantic 10 Tournament college basketball action from Capital One Arena. Here’s a VCU vs Loyola prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best VCU vs Loyola pick.
Loyola Ramblers Betting Preview
The Ramblers suffered a rough stretch from December into February, but outside of that it’s been a very nice season. Loyola was 9-1 around six weeks into the year, then fell to Oakland, Charleston, Murray State, VCU, Saint Joseph’s, Dayton and George Mason in the next 10 games. Since the the Ramblers have only lost twice, to Duquesne and Saint Louis. Otherwise it’s been a string of wins over Saint Joseph’s, St. Bonaventure, Richmond, Saint Louis, Davidson, Dayton, George Washington, Davidson, UMass and Saint Louis. In total that gives the Ramblers a 22-10 overall run across 32 games this season so far.
On Friday versus Saint Louis, the Ramblers were up 38-30 going into the second half. Loyola kept the pace from there on a 34-34 run and took the win in the ned 72-64. Leading team scorer Des Watson finished with 25 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
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VCU Rams Betting Preview
Over on the VCU side, they’ve been very consistent in the record column this year, with only a couple of (brief) instances of spotty play. The Rams lost two of their first six games, then took wins over Miami, Elizabeth City State, Georgia Southern, Penn and Colorado State. Losses came in the next three games versus New Mexico and St. Bonaventure (with a win over William & Mary), then wins over Loyola, Fordham, Saint Louis, Saint Joseph’s, Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure in succession. After a loss to Saint Louis, the Rams took out Richmond, La Salle, Dayton, George Washington, UMass, George Mason, Richmond, Davidson and Duquesne. VCU would cap the regular season with a loss to Dayton, then the team took out St. Bonaventure on Friday in tournament play. That gives the Rams a 26-6 overall run across 32 games this year so far.
Matched up against St. Bonaventure on Friday, the Rams jumped out to a comfortable 10-point lead by halftime. VCU hit a 40-33 stretch the rest of the way, cruising to the win 76-59 in the end. Tops in scoring was Jack Clark with 17 points, six rebounds, two steals and one assist. Joe Bamisile added 13 points with three rebounds, while Zeb Jackson topped the bench scoring with his 14 points and one rebound in 21 minutes of work. Brandon Jennings added 12 points with five rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench as well. Starter Max Shulga had 11 assists, six boards and two points in 36 minutes during the win.
Why the VCU Rams will win
- VCU has won 10 of its last 11 games.
- Loyola (IL) has lost five of its last six games played at neutral venues.
- VCU has won the first half in each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
Why the Loyola Ramblers will win
- Loyola (IL) has won eight of its last nine games.
- Loyola (IL) has won the first half in nine of its last 10 Conference Tournament games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of VCU’s last six Conference Tournament games have produced a total of 135 or fewer points.
- Seven of Loyola (IL)’s last eight games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 139+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- VCU ranks 4th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist to turnover ratio this season (0.70).
- VCU ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+15.2).
- Loyola (IL) ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (16.3).
- Loyola (IL) ranks 41st among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (4.5).
VCU vs Loyola Prediction
I’ll likely stick with VCU. The Rams dispatched a pretty good St. Bonaventure team without too much fanfare on Friday, hitting a reasonable 42.6 percent from the field and a nice 9-of-10 (90 percent) from the line. VCU had a 40-36 rebounding edge with 17 team assists and 21 points off 13 Bonnies turnovers. On defense the Rams held St. Bonaventure to just 36.4 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from 3-point range. That gives VCU at least 70 points in 11 straight games, a 10-1 overall run.
These teams last met back on January 4 in an 84-65 blowout win for the Rams. Oddly enough, VCU trailed 40-37 at the break in that one, but ended up shooting a nice 49.2 percent from the field with a 40-28 rebounding edge. It wasn’t the cleanest game with 25 total turnovers (14 for Loyola), and the Ramblers shot just 38.2 percent from the field alongside 15-of-23 (65.2 percent) from the line. VCU should be able to get off to a better start here, and I think they’ll ride that momentum to a decisive victory in this tournament rematch.
